Harrisburg Coach Killed

A Harrisburg Public Schools teacher and coach on his way to a Moberly cross-country meet with his team was killed in a head-on collision Thursday afternoon in Boone County.

Boone County Medical examiners pronounced 37-year-old Brian T. Simpson dead at 2:57 p.m. at the scene of the accident. His body was transported to the Boone County Medical Examiner's Office.

Four students on the bus were injured and taken to University Hospital. Zoe J. Carr, 16 of Sturgeon, and Katie Starbuck, 13, of Harrisburg, sustained serious injuries. Carolanne E. Russell, 13, of Hallsville, and Mariah S. Murphy, 13 of Harrisburg, sustained minor injuries.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the accident happened at 2:29 p.m. at Route F and Everett Carr Road. A 2006 Dodge Truck driven by Bill N. Brandon, 26, of Clark, crossed the centerline and struck the school bus transporting the team head-on.

Brandon sustained serious injuries and was transported by medial helicopter to University Hospital. Reports indicate he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Harrisburg Public Schools issued a statement on social media late Thursday stating school will not be in session Friday. Counselors will be on-hand next week to help grieving students.

“It is with a very heavy heart that I am informing you that a bus carrying our cross country team was involved in a serious accident this afternoon that resulted in the death of Brian Simpson, a beloved history teacher and coach. The accident also resulted in injuries to several of the student athletes. We are all shocked and saddened by these events,” the school district stated.

The Harrisburg High School football game scheduled for 7 p.m. today at Fayette High has also been canceled.